6th January 2014
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Question: E-Cigarettes and E-Shisha pens are a popular trend amongst many youngsters. The justification that many youngsters give is that they are non-toxic and have no association with any health risks as oppose to smoking water-pipe Shisha and cigarettes. So my question is what is the Islamic position of smoking E-Cigarettes and E-Shisha pens?
الجواب حامداً و مصلياً
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
Both E-Cigarette and E-Shisha pen are battery-operated devices containing an e-liquid in which when inhaled, an atomizer heats up the e-liquid turning it into a vapour. The vaporised liquid is exhaled and then diffused into the air. The vapour delivers chemical substances such as nicotine. Heavy smokers who want to quit smoking tend to use it so to eventually quit smoking. Others continue using it as a supplement to smoking cigarettes since E-Cigarettes are all tobacco free. E-Cigarettes is quite popular among many youngsters below the age limit of smoking who use it to imitate smokers. These devices come in disposable or reusable form with a variety of fruit flavours like menthol, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and green apple.
Is it Harmful?
The main ingredient in most e-liquids is water with supplementary fruit flavouring (mainly herbs), vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol. Both propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine are non-toxic organic compounds and are generally considered safe for consumption. What is known about inhaling these substances is that some people have experienced throat ache and muscle aches after smoking electronic shisha, these effects are nevertheless rare and due to an allergy to propylene glycol. According to one NHS Report, E-Cigarettes and E-Shisha pens do not contain any tobacco or any known cancer-causing elements. Many tests have been conducted and apart from causing mild adverse effects such as dry cough, throat irritation, the risk of suffering major health issues by the user is less probable, unlike cigarettes and water pipe smoking. According to a survey report, cited in an online article, smokers who switch completely to E-Cigarettes (or even E-Shisha pens) in order to come off smoking completely have noticed an improvement in their health.[1]
Islamic ruling
Allāh Almighty has entrusted mankind with this body so to preserve it and not to use it contrary to His Wishes. Islām disallows consuming anything that is known for causing major harm to the body. For this reason, smoking cigarettes or water-pipe shisha is prohibited but substances that cause neither harm or benefit to the body is preferable to abstain from, depending on the individual’s motive.
Hence, in light of the foregoing explanation, if a person smokes E-Shisha pen or E-Cigarettes with no purpose other than for embellishment then it is Makrooh (disliked) due to the fact that it being non-beneficial and involves unnecessary squandering of the wealth. If used to imitate smokers then not permissible due to the unlawful intention which eventually leads to smoking cigarettes. But if one uses it to help quit smoking cigarettes completely, then it is permissible provided if the goal is to eventually quit smoking without using it for recreational purpose.
This fatwa is based on the current information on using E-cigarettes that was obtained from reliable sources. If the severity of its harm is proven through new research or addition of other harmful ingredients making it tantamount to tobacco cigarettes or sheesha pipe in harm then it will be prohibited altogether.
[Allãh Knows Best]
Written by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed
Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam
JKN Fatawa Department
[1] http://www.bu.edu/today/2013/alarm-bells-over-e-cigarettes/
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/06june/pages/e-cigarettes-and-vaping.aspx http://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?hl=en&q=E-cigarettes&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C5&as_sdtp